Taming Lovebirds |

Taming Lovebirds

The most important thing to remember when taming lovebirds is not too rush. Your lovebird needs to get to know you and trust you. To begin with only spend about ten minutes several times each day. When you have spent a few days getting to know each other, he isn’t scared when you approach him and he comes over to the side of the cage you are near, and then you can introduce him to your hand by offering a small piece of food such as millet. If he moves away do not try and touch him, just keep your hand inside his cage doing nothing and he will soon come to realize that you are not going to hurt him, this may well take 2 or 3 days.

When your lovebird stops moving away from your hand, gently move closer until he will let you stroke his breast, you must remember to talk quietly and soothingly all the time. When he allows you to stroke him gently push against his abdomen, if you are lucky he may put his foot onto your hand, but he will mostly likely jump off again. Keep trying if he does not appear scared, eventually he will hop up onto your finger. Before he does this he is liable to bite you! It doesn’t hurt and is normal, it’s his way of testing a branch with his beak; try not to pull away as you may frighten him.

It is important not to try and take him out of the cage until he has been stepping onto your finger regularly. Once it is time to take him out of the cage you must close the blinds over the windows, otherwise he will crash into them. Also remove all other potential hazards, including other pets. Once he has stepped onto your finger slowly withdraw your hand towards the cage door. The chances are he will panic and fly around wildly. He may be able to fly but he might not have learned how to land, so don’t be surprised if you have to go and pick him up, do this by getting him to step up onto your finger. He may take a while to stop flying but if you chase him he will only panic further, just wait until he lands and walk quietly over to him, talking all the time.

The next step in the training program is to teach your lovebird to sit on your shoulder. Many lovebirds will automatically run up your arm and onto your shoulder, but if he doesn’t you will need to place him onto your shoulder for a few times. Once he realizes that he can get around without flying he will be quite happy to sit there!

Once you are both in the habit of shoulder riding do take care to remember he is there, if you forget and open the door he may well fly away. Taming lovebirds is a very satisfying experience; all you need is lots of patience.

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Menu Home Lovebirds as Pets Baby Lovebirds Caring for Lovebirds Sexing Lovebirds Breeding Lovebirds Taming Lovebirds Hand Feeding Lovebirds Do Lovebirds Talk	Taming Lovebirds The most important thing to remember when taming lovebirds is not too rush. Your lovebird needs to get to know you and trust you. To begin with only spend about ten minutes several times each day. When you have spent a few days getting to know each other, he isn’t scared when you approach him and he comes over to the side of the cage you are near, and then you can introduce him to your hand by offering a small piece of food such as millet. If he moves away do not try and touch him, just keep your hand inside his cage doing nothing and he will soon come to realize that you are not going to hurt him, this may well take 2 or 3 days. When your lovebird stops moving away from your hand, gently move closer until he will let you stroke his breast, you must remember to talk quietly and soothingly all the time. When he allows you to stroke him gently push against his abdomen, if you are lucky he may put his foot onto your hand, but he will mostly likely jump off again. Keep trying if he does not appear scared, eventually he will hop up onto your finger. Before he does this he is liable to bite you! It doesn’t hurt and is normal, it’s his way of testing a branch with his beak; try not to pull away as you may frighten him. It is important not to try and take him out of the cage until he has been stepping onto your finger regularly. Once it is time to take him out of the cage you must close the blinds over the windows, otherwise he will crash into them. Also remove all other potential hazards, including other pets. Once he has stepped onto your finger slowly withdraw your hand towards the cage door. The chances are he will panic and fly around wildly. He may be able to fly but he might not have learned how to land, so don’t be surprised if you have to go and pick him up, do this by getting him to step up onto your finger. He may take a while to stop flying but if you chase him he will only panic further, just wait until he lands and walk quietly over to him, talking all the time. The next step in the training program is to teach your lovebird to sit on your shoulder. Many lovebirds will automatically run up your arm and onto your shoulder, but if he doesn’t you will need to place him onto your shoulder for a few times. Once he realizes that he can get around without flying he will be quite happy to sit there! Once you are both in the habit of shoulder riding do take care to remember he is there, if you forget and open the door he may well fly away. Taming lovebirds is a very satisfying experience; all you need is lots of patience.
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Taming Lovebirds